Variable line-spacer for type-writing machines.



W. K. RICHARDSON VARIABLE LINE SPACER FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED 001e, 1514.

Y Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

'UNITED STATES PATENT FFKCE.

WILLIAM KING RICHARDSON, 0F LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS.

VARIABLE LINE-SPACER FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

Application filed October 6, 1914. Serial No. 865,316.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM KING RICH-ARDSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at 214. North Sixthstreet, Leavenworth, in the county of Leavenworth and State of Kansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VariableLineSpac'ers for Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of this invention is to provide a construction by which theplaten may be separated from the platen ratchet-wheel 'which forms apart of the line spacing mechanism, in order that the platen may beturned independently of the ratchet-wheel in either direction to anyextent, and to lock the platen and platen ratchet-Wheel positively withease and the fewest mechanical motions to accomplish said results, andalso to produce a device of this character of simple construction andthat may be manufactured cheaply.

. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a longitudinal centralvertical section of that part of the platen equipped with theline-spacing mechanism, butnot including the deten t,-which will beunderstood throughout this specification tobe employed, and ofthe samegeneral construction of detents in common use. In the type ofconstruction shown in Fig. 1, the ratchet wheel has no recess for thereception of the dogs which form the clutch mechanism, the clutch beingperipherally held against radial movement by a recess or flange on theinner face of the crown plate. Fig. 2,isalongitudinalcentral verticalsection of a modified line spacing mechanism, the distinguishing featureof thls construction from that shown in Fig. 1, being a recess on oneside of the ratchetwheel. Fig. 3, is a longitudinal central verticalsection of a line spacing mechanism shown in locked position. Theconstruction of the line spacing mechanism shown in Fig. 3, differs fromthat shown in Figs. 1 and 2, principally in the ratchet-wheel. which hasan internal central recess. Fig. 4, is a front plan view of the platenhead. Fig. 5, is a plan view of the platen head opposite to the viewshown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6, is a planview of the ratchet-Wheel and leverclutch showntion of the platen-head. Fig. 9, is a modification of aline-spacing mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In this constructionthe platen-head has a double cam surface, and the slide-pin 11, isequipped with a flexible lever-pin that extends equidistant on each sideof the slide-pin for the engagement of the cam surface of theplaten-head. In the form. of construction shown in Fig. 9, thecrown-plate does not form a journal support, a bushing 22, being mounted'upon the slide-pin for that p" pose.

Referring to the drawings; 1, designates a hollow cylindrical core,preferably of wood having an outer covering of rubber, and'will bereferred to as the platen throughout this specification 2, designates asa whole the platen-head. The platen-head 2, comprises a circular flange3, which bears against the platen, and

secured thereto, a cylindrical hub 4, which enters and snugly fits theplaten core, andis provided with a bevel 5, on one-half of the innerface of the platen-head as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and on the entireinner face of the platen head as shown at 5 in Fig. 9.

6, is a stop and lock shoulder having a beveled face.

The cam or beveled face 5, is provided with a stop-pin 7.

8, indicates a cylindrical hub onthe platenhead 2, provided with agroove 9, extending across its vertical face and to a depth flush withthe flanged portion 10, indicates a central perforation in the Iplaten-head ,for the reception of a slide pin 11.

12, is a slot milled across the inner face of member 2, and'to a depthcorresponding to the clearance required to remove the dogs 13, whichseat in slot 9. f

14, indicates the platen ratchet-wheel.

15, is an internal recess on the outer side of the ratchet-wheel 1.4,asshown in Fig. 2. 15, a central internal recess in the ratchet wheel 14,as shown in Fig. 3, said recesses 15 and 15, are for the reception ofthe end of the dogs 13.

The slide-pin 11, has an annular groove 16, the shoulders formed by saidgroove operate against the ends of the dogs 13, when 17 strikes the stoppin 7; the platen is now carried by said 1. 2 and 3, is heavy anddesigned to be used with flexible dogs. The lever-pin shown in Fig. 9,is preferably spring-steel, and of a diameter sufiicient to admit ofsome fiexure under .the stress required to operate the clutch, the dogsforming the clutch in this figure being inflexible.

17 indicates a roller for the lever-pin 17, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and3.

18, indicates a crown-plate secured to the platen-head by anchor screws19. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the crown-plate l8,'is provided with a hubsuitable for a journal bearing.

20, indicates adjusting screws held by the crown-plate "S, the ends ofsaid adjusting screws abutting the dogs 13, near the end and are for thepurpose of regulating the tension required to lock the ratchet-wheel andthe platen against independent rotation, and to facilitate themanufacture of the apparatus.

21, indicates a twirler or thumb wheel by which the platen maybe turnedindependently of the ratchet wheel mechanism.

22, indicates a bushing which forms a journal support for the end of theplaten roll equipped with the line spacing mechanism.

Referring to the mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the operation isas follows: When it is desired to more the platen by the ratchet wheel,the slide-pin 11, is pushed in and turned to the right or from theoperator until the lever-pin 17, strikes the stop-pin 7. As thelever-pin '17, moves over the cam or beveled face 5, it forces theshoulder 16, on the slide pin 11, against the inner ends of the dogs 13,and pushes them inwardly causing them to bind or grip the ratchet wheel14. in thisposition the ratchet wheel and the platen are locked againstindependent rotation. To unlock the platen from the ratchet wheel, theslide-pin is turned .to the left, or to the operator until the lever pin17, strikes the bevel 5, in this position the platen and paper may beturned back line space distance for corrections by turning the slide pinin that direction, and the platen and the ratchet wheel will movetogether as they are locked against independent rotation due to the factthat the lever pin being in contact with the beveled surface 6, exertsbinding pressure upon the ratchet wheel 1%, through the clutch l3, ow

ing to the forward travel of the'slide-pin. W hen the platen is unlockedand it is desired to bring irregular spacing to the printing point, theslide pin 11, is pulled outwardly that the lever pin may enter the slot12. In this position the platen. maybe turned in either directionindependent of the ratchet wheel. When thedesired ad.- justment is madethe slide pin is forced back and turned to the right until the lever pinpin. 1 r I 8. In a typewrlting machine, the combi- 2. In a typewritingmachine, the combination of a platen, a loosely mounted ratchet wheel, alever clutch engaging one side of said ratchet wheel, and means formoving said lever clutch including a rotatableislide 1 3.-In atypewritng'machine, the combination of a platen, a loosely mountedratchet wheel, a lever clutch that engages said a ratchet wheel. a slidepin engaging said lever clutch. and means for moving'said lever clutchby turning the slide pin, whereby the platen and the ratchet Wheel arelocked against independent rotation.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen. aline-spaceratchet wheel adapted to be held by adetent, a platen head, a clutchcarried thereby, a slide-pin, a lever pin carried by said slide pin, and

means for moving-said clutch by turning said slide-pin, whereby saidplaten is locked or unlocked to said ratchet Wheel.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination'of a platen,aloos'elymounted ratchet wheel adapted to be held by a detent, a clutch. aslide-pin, a lever pin carried by said slide-pin, a cam adapted toengage said lever pin to eifect looking or unlocking of the platen tosaid ratchet wheel by turning the slide pin.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a looselymounted ratchet wheel, a rotatable slide pin, a pair of lever devicesthat engage said ratchet wheel and said slide pin, and mechanism forlocking the platen and said ratchet. wheel against independent rotationincluding said slide 1n. p 7 In a typewriting machine, the combinationof afplaten, a socketsecur'ed within the core thereof and carrying aslide-pin, saidf'slidep'in provided with a recessed shoulder, a. ratchetwheel carried by said socketand adapted to be held by a pawl, a clutchcarried by thesocket, and means for operating, th ef. clutch by turningthe ,slidenation of a platen, a platen heatha cam upon said platenhead,a loosely tnounted ratchetwheel adapted to be held by detent, a slidepin having a shoulder, ajlevejr pin held by said slide 'pin, a pairoflclutching devices platen head'- and adapted to mmgaas izha fiiwfi'ieram said slide clutch including a mtary opemting fi ment; $9 165. mtxhetWheel, and and adgustmg screws for smd lever clutch to :5 said sink? pmin mthais regulate flue iensmn-z'eqmrad to lack w w n Wi'aersby atheism?pin engages the plaien and said ratchet Wheel againstjmiew cam 12 onmfienjwad and moves the pendent rotatmn.

slide 311 m efieci". baking 01' nniocking fihe 1n fiestimom whereof I111 Si 226311211: J metchei Wheel w said platen-head in presence of twoWitnesses.

9. In a i-ypewrifing machine, the 00205? EVILLIAM', K. RICHARDEGLJ.nmixqn of a platen, lc-assiy mount-2d ratchet V htnessesz Whfixi a leverdutch fulwrumed on szud J 1 31mm; wheel, means for moving said. have?

